Sunday 30 November 2014

For John


I had a dream that the Pope was my best mate last night. We were hanging around in some back yard, kicking tin cans around and smoking cigarettes. I remember thinking how fortunate I was to have such an influential friend.

The fruitfulness bit is pretty much over now, but there is a thick mist hanging over the hills in Bath. I have been enjoying all the weather since the end of Summer including the rain, surprisingly. Just so long as it isn't like last year's three feet which fell on Somerset.

I suggested a long walk to H.I. just now, and she pulled a sour face. It will be dark in a couple of hours anyway, so I suggested that I design this year's Christmas card, and she pulled a sweet face. Right second time. Not bad for a Sunday in this household.

Just to brighten up John's day, above is a photo of a pair of late 17th century candlesticks I have just bought quite cheaply!

15 comments:

  1. I can now no longer say I've never seen a Harry Potter film. I saw part of one on TV yesterday.... not terribly impressed. Nice sticks.

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    1. You have to start at part one, otherwise it makes not sense - not that it makes much anyway, unless you are a child going through all the trauma of growing up in a school which is even older than the one your attended.

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  2. I hope John likes the fucking candle.

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  3. Ooooo, what a lovely pair …. just living up to my stereotype !! XXXX

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    1. Well done - I'm surprised you didn't mention the word 'sticks'.

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  4. You have a very good eye Tom. Wish I had found them.

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    1. There were only 3 bids on them, and I have just resisted falling for a 1650 fake from a woman who seems to import them from Holland, where most of the fakes are made. I am proud of myself for that, but these are the real thing.

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  5. Hand-crafted Christmas cards (or gift-wrap etc) are a great way to catch the spirit of Christmas (in contrast to buy-and-throwaway).
    The candlesticks look lovely - in Ye Olde Days one might have used them - lit! - for a long walk through the dark (come to think of it: a little blast and you would stand in deepest darkness).

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    1. The outdoors ones were wind-resistant, and called lanterns. These are internal, though not draught-resistant, hence the trays to catch the unburnt wax or tallow.

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    2. I've seen (old!) German paintings where a person with this sort of candlestick, not a lantern, held in front of him walked - with a long nightgown and a pointed nightcap - to the loo - which was often outside in the garden.

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  6. Husband suggested going for a gentle stroll today, but it turned out he meant going for a gentle stroll in the car.

    Those fine candlesticks look quite papal now that the pope is practising austerity.

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    1. I think they are Spanish, so the Papal (I thought you meant Paypal for a minute) thing is probably true, but subject to an inquisition.

      I have a gentle stroll in the car most days.

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